Alzheimer’s blood test would be 'significant development'

Dr Eric Karran, Director of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, says the
claim by scientists that they are close to developing a blood test to detect
the disease "could be a very significant development"

Scientists say they are close to developing a blood test that can be used to detect Alzheimer’s at a much earlier stage than is currently possible.

This could then be used in clinical trials to develop drugs to prevent the disease within the next decade.

Diagnosis can currently take years, but scientists believe the disease begins to develop more than 10 years before the first clinical symptoms begin to appear.

Now researchers at King's College London say they have made a “significant step” in developing a test which could allow doctors to detect the condition during this early stage before any noticeable warning signs.

The research is being funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK, which gave one of its largest ever grants to the project.

Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “If we had a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease it would be far easier for people who thought they had some memory problems to get a quick and relatively non-invasive, cheap test to determine whether or not they have the disease.

"And that would bring great relief to families and if also unfortunately they are diagnosed with the disease then it will enable to get them medication and plan for the future.”